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Firefighter recovering from 2nd heart transplant goes to concert with surgeon

PITTSBURGH — A Kirwan Heights volunteer firefighter who underwent a second heart transplant in January attended a concert this weekend with his surgeon.

“It's been quite the journey, but it's getting better,” Aaron Card said.

in December, Card’s fiancee, Tira Wallace, asked people to donate T-shirts from fire departments for Card to wear in the hospital. He received shirts from across the country.

“It lets you know how strong the brotherhood of fire departments really is,” Card said.

However, it was another shirt that prompted his friendship with his surgeon, Dr. Christopher Sciortino.

Sciortino was wearing a Green Day sweatshirt when he told Card he would be getting a new heart.

Card said it was an instant connection.

“It was an interesting introduction, I guess you could say,” Card said.

Sciortino offered to take Card to Green Day's concert on Saturday, which took place exactly two months since Card’s transplant surgery.

“It's unique to take care of a local hero, a young man who risks his life for others,” Sciortino said. “It's been a really nice journey for us.”